St. Anthony's looks best in CHSAA soccer

St. Anthony's Ryan Goncalves, left, gets pressured by Chaminade's Michael Tek during the first half of the NSCHSAA Class AA final at Adelphi University on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. Photo Credit: James Escher

St. Anthony's Ryan Goncalves, left, gets pressured by Chaminade's Michael Tek during the first half of the NSCHSAA Class AA final at Adelphi University on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. (Credit: James Escher)

There's a target on St. Anthony's back this year.

That comes with the territory of winning consecutive CHSAA state soccer titles, and the Friars are welcoming the challenge of completing a three-peat.

"It sets the bar higher," senior midfielder Ryan Goncalves said. "It puts a little more pressure on us, but pressure never hurt any of us. It's good to have it. It makes us perform every...

"It sets the bar higher," senior midfielder Ryan Goncalves said. "It puts a little more pressure on us, but pressure never hurt any of us. It's good to have it. It makes us perform every night."

Goncalves, who had seven goals and two assists last year, is one of several returners from the 2014 squad. He and fellow seniors Brian Flynn, Zuberi Symister, Cordt Weinstein and Junsei Ro will step into leadership roles vacated by T.J. Butzke and last year's graduating class.

"They showed me the amount of work it takes to win," Goncalves said of last year's seniors. "Last year was a great experience because I learned that it's not going to be a walk in the park. Every game, no matter who we're playing, we have to come out and give 100 percent."